Gravel biking in the Allgäu: Castle Festival: The 3 most beautiful gravel routes around Füssen
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
· 21.04.2025
Is it all about the castle? In a way, yes. Is there only a fairytale castle to see here? Not at all. Every year, over 1.5 million people visit Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig II's most spectacular and famous castle. But that shouldn't put gravel and nature lovers off, as the majority of visitors only venture a short walk away from the castle. In addition to Neuschwanstein, Füssen offers countless beautiful lakes, a picturesque old town and the extensive and secluded valleys of the Ammergau Alps many more idyllic places.
The location on the southern edge of the Allgäu allows us to explore the neighbouring Tyrol, the Lechtal valley or the unique Plansee lake on long gravel tours and therefore many spectacular nature experiences in close proximity. But even those who (depending on the time of year) want to avoid a visit to the overcrowded Neuschwanstein Castle will find a short excursion into history worthwhile.
>> Bikepacking gravel tour around Baiersbronn: 3 girls, 3 gravel bikes, 3 nights in the Black Forest
The life and suffering of the Bavarian king is like a thriller, and there are numerous exciting facts and places in and around Füssen to learn and discover. Füssen's old town offers more than enough opportunities for long strolls after the cycle tour. Small alleyways and squares invite you to linger, the houses are colourfully painted and the High Castle, another building steeped in history, towers above the old town. A multitude of traditional costume shops, hat shops and small boutiques alternate with hip cafés and sports shops. Tradition meets tourism and modernity. Ludwig's Festspielhaus, a musical theatre located directly on the lake, and the river Lech also offer romantic spots close to the town. A beautiful spot on the Lech can be found directly below the High Castle, for example.
"Places of power in every season"
Verena Krenslehner-Schmid from Vils in Tyrol (near Füssen) is a ski mountaineer, mountain biker, racing cyclist and gravel guide in the Allgäu. In this interview, she describes her fascination for the Allgäu
BIKE: What makes the Allgäu special?
Krenslehner-Schmid: The variety of landscapes: from the lovely, relatively flat lake landscape, to high mountain ski areas or wildly romantic wild river landscapes, to secluded side valleys. After a day's tour, you have gathered so many impressions and experienced so much variety that you could be forgiven for thinking you had been travelling for a week; at least that's how one guest once described it to me after the tour.
Favourite places in the Allgäu and in Füssen?
Definitely the Alpsee and the whole area around Neuschwanstein Castle. Even if it's overcrowded in the season, it's worth a visit after opening hours and in the off-season. Whenever I cycle there in the early hours of the morning or in the evening, I always say "wow" and it seems almost kitschy how beautiful and magical it is in the surrounding forests or at the countless lakes in the area. Between Vils and Füssen are the Alatsee and the Faulenbachtal. Whether by gravel bike or by bike: always worth a trip - a real place of power at any time of year.
The 3 most beautiful gravel routes around Füssen
Tour 1: FÜSSEN 50
- Length: 48 kilometres
- Uphill: 340 metres in altitude
- Journey time: 4:15 hours
- Riding technique: easy
- Trail share: 5 per cent
Tour description
This tour offers countless lake views and takes us through the water-rich foothills of the Alps north of Füssen. With not too many metres in altitude and a high proportion of asphalt, the route is ideal for rolling in and gliding along quickly. Apart from a short exit from Füssen, we hardly share any roads with cars thanks to the extensive cycle path network in the Ostallgäu. This makes the tour ideal for chatting or cycling with children and can easily be shortened. Many of the lakeside cycle paths along popular bathing lakes, such as the Hopfensee, are ideal gravel terrain, but can sometimes be heavily frequented by pedestrians during the summer season or on sunny Sundays. Special consideration is required. However, slow cycling is also a pleasure, as it leaves more time for the sometimes wonderful views. From the western shore of Lake Hopfensee, we can let our gaze wander over Füssen and the deep blue lake to Neuschwanstein Castle and the mountains towering above it. Scenic highlights are hidden right up to the northernmost corner of the tour, such as on the banks of the small and unknown Schmutterweiher lake or at Hegratsrieder See lake. On hot days, we definitely pack our swimming trunks and a small towel in our handlebar bag, as we cycle past at least eight lakes, all of which are ideal for cooling off.
Refreshments on the tour
- KM 8 : Café Bistro Seaside, Hopfensee
- KM 13: turn right to the pastry shop "Zuckerkuchen", Rieden
Note for families
Some sections along the lakes are too narrow for wide children's trailers.
Tour 2: FÜSSEN 75
- Length: 75 kilometres
- Uphill: 620 metres in altitude
- Journey time: 4:30 hours
- Riding technique: easy to medium
- Trail share: 8 per cent
Tour description
One of our favourite tours, which combines some of the most beautiful Allgäu gravel sections with Alatsee, Vilstal and Gaichtpass. Technically rather easy, but with a high proportion of gravel, you roll along quickly and enjoy the varied landscapes and river courses of the eastern Allgäu and neighbouring Tyrol. Even the start of the tour is scenically unique: from Füssen, the route leads directly through a rocky area, then along the Faulenbach stream to the legendary Alatsee lake. We then cross over into Austria and follow the River Vils to Pfronten. In the pristine and lonely Vils valley, we reach an altitude of almost 1000 metres and continue into the Tannheimer Tal. The first half of the tour covers a good 700 metres in altitude. We are rewarded at the end of the Tannheimer Tal at the latest, when the old Gaichtpass road leads steeply down over centuries-old arched bridges into the Lechtal valley. Be careful, the descent is briefly very steep. We follow the Lech cycle path back towards Füssen, towards the end the route is relatively fast on tarmac and we look forward to a final trail highlight, which offers further variety and technical finesse just before Füssen.
Refreshments on the tour
- KM 34 km: Klimbim, Tannheim/Austria
Note for families
The only narrow trail can be bypassed from km 68 via the main road.
Tour 3: FÜSSEN 100
- Length: 98 kilometres
- Uphill: 1110 metres in altitude
- Journey time: 8 hours
- Riding technique: easy to medium
- Trail share: 2 per cent
Tour description
A "royal" gravel tour straight out of a fairytale book. This tour is characterised by the view of the wild Ammergau mountains as well as the visionary work of the fairytale king Ludwig II. We start and finish at Neuschwanstein Castle and after a good half of the tour we pass Linderhof Castle, which lies deep in the Ammerwald forest between Ettal and Plansee. If that's not enough culture(o)ur, you can add a short loop to the famous Ettal monastery at kilometre 47. We use the first ten flat kilometres to warm up before plunging over steep ramps into the beautiful Ammergau Alps (note: no mobile phone network). After the rapid descent, we first follow the Ammer on relatively narrow paths (bypass possible via cycle path) and then cycle on the finest gravel past Unter- and Oberammergau. Shortly before Ettal, we turn right towards Ammerwald and follow beautiful gravel paths to Linderhof Castle. We push the bikes through the castle park and marvel once again at Ludwig's fantastic and visionary ideas. For example, the electric lighting system installed in the Venus Grotto is considered to be the first permanently installed power station in the world. We then follow the supposedly quiet country road, which can unfortunately be very busy on nice summer days, and switch to one of the most scenic gravel paths of the tour shortly before Plansee. Alternatively, you can first head for the lake behind the Sennalpe campsite for a swimming break. The gravel path above the northern shore then offers a fantastic view over the fjord-like lake. The route continues past Reutte on roads and gravel paths before following the Fürstenweg, the old royal private road, from Pinswang past the Alpsee, which is also in a fantastic location, to the royal castles in Schwangau.
Refreshments on the tour
- KM 43 : Eiscafé Paradiso, Oberammergau
- KM 67 : Ammerwald Alm
Note for families
Very long, hardly any shortcuts, but countless perfect resting places for the most beautiful family excursions
The GPS data for the three tours
The tour tips and information are taken from the book "Allgäu Gravel" Tours, enjoyment & favourite places on the edge of the Alps by the two locals Ines Thoma and Max Schumann. Published by Delius Klasing Publishing HousePrice: 29,90 Euro, delius-klasing.de
Information about the gravel tours around Füssen
Overnight stay
Füssen Youth Hostel, Mariahilferstraße 5
An overnight stay doesn't always have to be luxurious. The youth hostel is ideal for travelling with friends or family, and there is a bike and drying room available. jugendherberge.de
Hotel and restaurants
Hotel Frühlingsgarten, Alatseestraße 8
Both the hotel and the restaurant are family-run and popular with locals and guests. Friendly atmosphere, not too big or expensive and only a few minutes' walk from the old town. Great for short evening walks along the Lech. hotel-fruehlingsgarten.de
Camping Brunnen, Seestr. 81 in Schwangau
Located by the lake, the luxurious campsite, which is open all year round, even offers a wellness area to sweeten the camping experience after the gravel tour. camping-brunnen.de
Bannwaldsee campsite, Münchener Str. 151 in Schwangau
This site is located not far from the small and idyllic Bannwaldsee lake and offers an inexpensive alternative to a campsite with a directly adjacent motorhome pitch. The good sanitary facilities, the private beach and the playground can also be used. camping-bannwaldsee.de
Restaurant tips
Restaurant Alatsee, Am Alatsee 1, Füssen
Situated directly on one of the most beautiful lakes in the Allgäu, the terrace scores with its favourable location and view. Whether it's cake or Kässpatzen, a stop-off by bike is ideal. hotel-alatsee.de
Ristorante Da Piero, Faulenseestraße 40, Rieden am Forggensee
Not far from Lake Forggensee, a tasty pizza break can be ideally integrated into the cycle tour for anyone who likes a bit of Italian flair. dapiero.net
Saray snack bar, Luitpoldstraße 1, Füssen
The kebab shop in an old petrol station is an ideal place for a quick falafel stop right after the tour, as you can sit outside right next to the bikes. Delicious! The coffee is also ok, but the ice cream parlour next door is even better.
The Blue Castle, Auf dem Falkenstein 1, Pfronten
One of the most exclusive locations in the Allgäu and the highest Michelin-starred restaurant in Germany is the Culinary Club of the Blaue Burg at an altitude of 1250 metres. Whether in the Michelin-starred Pavo restaurant, in the local 1250 restaurant or on the terrace of the Container: we enjoy the highest culinary delights on an unforgettable evening. blaueburg.com
Riwa Bar & Restaurant, Prinzregentenplatz 1, Füssen
Praised by locals for its ingenious breakfast buffet and burgers, Riwa offers an unusual cocktail menu and a varied selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
riwa-restaurant.com
Cafés & Bars
Café Ifni, Brunnengasse 21, Füssen
A touch of Morocco, a bit of hipsterism and a co-working space with delicious lunchtime dishes. We love this special café in the old town, which sometimes has live music in the evenings. www.cafeifni.de/
Höfler bakery, Schrannengasse 3, Füssen
If you believe the locals, the organic bakery is the best address in Füssen. Ideal as a snack on the go or as a snack on the go. The delicious doughnuts are a particular favourite.
Berger wine tasting, Lechhalde 1, Füssen
With the sentence "The attitude to life is the answer to the why", the likeable owner Simon describes his reasons for opening his stylish wine bar. The vaulted cellar is stylish, cosy and the wine selection invites you to enjoy more than just an aperitif. A glass of rosé goes particularly well with the delicious antipasti platter after a bike ride.
www.weinkostberger.de
Möller health food shop, Augsburger Straße 52, Füssen
This long-established organic shop is not only a great place to shop, there is also a mini bar by the window where you can drink coffee, eat quiche and relax. www.biomoeller.de
Hohes Schloss ice cream parlour, Reichenstraße 14, Füssen
Original Italian ice cream with lots of amore, tradition and emotion. Delicious and centrally located in the lively pedestrian zone. http://hohesschloss.com
Bicycle shops
Mountain Rider, Allgäuerstraße 1, 6682 Vils, Austria
The slogan "We are bikes" describes this small, stylish and extremely versatile shop very well. Here you will find everything from MTBs to gravel bikes and racing bikes, as well as beautiful clothing, children's bikes, spare parts and expert advice. All of the best quality and lovingly selected brands. Owner Stephan is a bike instructor himself and his wife Verena is a competitive athlete, gravel guide and passionate cyclist. https://mountainrider.com/
Mikes Bikes, Mühlbachgasse 6, entrance 11a, Füssen
Located in the former hemp works in Füssen, this shop specialising in mountain bikes has a unique flair. If you're interested in mountain biking as well as gravel biking, you should definitely stop by! https://www.mikesbikes.me/
Radsport Zacherl and Müller, Kemptener Str. 29, Füssen
Modern and well-equipped, in a central location near the centre of Füssen, the bike shop with its large workshop offers help with all kinds of gravel problems. New bikes and panniers are also available. https://www.radzacherlmueller.de/
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
